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Jaguars' Rashad Jennings gets a third opportunity

This is a 2012 photo of Rashad Jennings of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. This image reflects the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster as of Wednesday June 13, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Running back Rashad Jennings is now about to get a rare third chance with the Jaguars.

Jennings started the opening game in Minnesota because Maurice Jones-Drew had just returned from his holdout, but Jennings suffered a knee injury and didn’t return until the fourth game.

He got a second chance to start again in Green Bay after Jones-Drew suffered a foot injury in Oakland. But he was benched at Houston for Jalen Parmele, who sustained a groin injury Sunday against Tennessee and was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday.

With Parmele out, coach Mike Mularkey said Wednesday the team is going back to Jennings as the starter because Jones-Drew is still sidelined.

“Every opportunity is a great opportunity,’’ Jennings said.

Since Jennings is a free agent at the end of the year, he needs a strong finish to convince the Jaguars they should bring him back next year.

Jennings, who spent last year on injured reserve, has had a frustrating season. He has gained only 263 yard on 93 carries for an average of 2.8 yards per carry.

He had his best game at Green Bay when he gained 59 years on 17 carries and had a 21-yard run. He then had 45 yards on 12 carries against Detroit and just 27 yards on 11 carries against the Colts, which prompted the Jaguars to go with Parmele.

Jennings said he understood the move.

“It wasn’t a setback in any capacity; it was a move that was made to try to help the team, so I humbly respect that,” Jennings said. “If somebody’s not getting the job done, then you’ve got to put the [other] guy in. That’s how it works. Hey, it’s the NFL. You go through a lot of ups and a lot of downs. That’s part of playing football.’’

When coach Mike Mularkey was asked if the change was made to send a message, he said, “Guys look at it all different ways. Obviously, you wonder why the change [was made], but I think it is when they sit back and look at the whole picture, they know they’re going to get another chance and have more opportunities.

“Everything we’ve done to this point, we’re just trying to find something different to be more productive.’’

Jennings said he’s been critiquing his game and watching a lot of videotape and he thinks he realizes one of the things he was doing wrong.

“I was looking and picking, looking for home runs instead of getting those four uglies,’’ he said.

Mularkey said it is usually a problem when a running back hesitates.

“Unless the play is designed to have a little hesitation, it’s really not a good outcome if you hesitate,” he said.

“You really don’t want to do that as a back or a returner [because] in this league it’s too fast and guys are going to be on you before you know it. That’s what was happening [to Jennings].’’

The Jaguars are also playing without their best blocking back, Greg Jones, who has missed the last four games with a thigh injury. Jones was limited in practice Wednesday and it’s uncertain if he will be ready to play in Buffalo Sunday.

“We’re still deciding that. It comes down to who we make inactive and who we don’t,’’ Mularkey said. “We will rotate all of the backs..’’

So is Mularkey thinking about getting Jones-Drew and Jones back?

“I don’t lose any sleep wishing. It is what it is.” he said. “We’ve been dealing with it since training camp started. Some way or another we’ve had to deal with things.’’

If Jones can’t play, Will Ta’ufo’ou will be the fullback. Special teams ace Montell Owens and Jordan Todman, signed off the Minnesota practice squad, are the only other two running backs on the team.

Ta’ufo’ou has played in only four games and was waived twice by the Jaguars this year. The second time was on Nov. 19 and he was re-signed to the practice squad two days later and activated Saturday for the Tennessee game.

Jennings said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure as he moves back in the starting lineup.

“I put enough pressure on myself day in and day out,’’ he said.

Of this being now or never for Jennings, he said, “It’s always now or never.’’